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Reproduction Growth: gradual Egg: placed in a silken egg case by female: 100 or more eggs can be laid at one time Immature: can molt 4 times a year when young Adult: Reach adulthood when 8-12 years old; mating time is in the fall Lifespan: Females can live up to 25 years Physical Characteristics Adult & Juvenile Mouthparts : Wings: Legs: Antennae: chelicerate; fangs parallel to the body line none 4 pair none Egg: laid in a Adult: Male & females molt o mot into adul are our larges Color: Black, g Burrows: Can with silk prod silk sac-like case & females similar looking until sexually mature; once a year throughout their adult life span; males lthood, then die six months or so later. Tarantulas st spiders reaching 5 or more inches gray, brown n be dug or can use abandoned rodent holes; lined duced by the spinnerets at the rear of the abdomen. Natural Enemies One of the many predators of tarantulas is the “tarantula hawk” which is really a large wasp in the genus Pepsis. Female Pepsis wasps paralyze tarantulas with their sting, and drag it back to their burrows. The wasp then lays a single egg on the spider. When the egg hatches,, the wasp larva consumes the tarantula. Special Adaptations Interaction with Humans: The California tarantula is a very docile animal. Tarantulas are not poisonous to humans though all spiders have venom that is effective on small arthropods for subduing their prey. They often develop a bald spot on the back of their abdomen. This is caused by the spider kicking off its hairs for defense. the hairs have uticating qualities and irritate sensitive tissue. These hairs when kicked off may be used to discourage the pursuit of a predator. Feeding behavior: like other spiders, they begin the digestion process outside the body, injecting their prey with venom & enzymes that begins breaking it down into ingestible fluids. SaveNature.Org Source (22) (23) www.ojaipost.com California Tarantula Class Order Family Species Arachnida Araneae Theraphosidae Aphonopelma sp. Range Southwest U.S.; 20-30 species of tarantula in North America Habitat Warmer climates, grasslands, chaparral. Niche Nocturnal predators of small arthropods; live in burrows in the ground. Diet Nature: small arthropods Captivity: one cricket per week Arachnida SaveNature.Org • 699 Mississippi Street • Suite 106 • San Francisco, CA 94107 • [email protected] Social Organization Solitary
